'Here was something really special. For several years in the 1970s, the amazing Stratos was quite simply the best, most successful and most beautiful rally car in the world. It was the ultimate mid-engined/rear-drive package, and really the world's first purpose-designed rally car.'  Graham Robson, 'A-Z of Works Rally Cars'.

A limited-production 'homologation special', the Lancia Stratos is historically significant as the first car from a major manufacturer conceived specifically for rallying. The spearhead of Lancia's international rally campaign in the 1970s, the Stratos had its origins in a Fulvia-powered, mid-engined design exercise first exhibited on Carrozzeria Bertone's stand at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. Also the work of Bertone, the production Stratos of 1972 retained the striking 'wedge' styling of its forbear, but employed the 2.4-litre Ferrari Dino V6 engine. The latter was housed in a robust steel monocoque body tub clad in glassfibre coachwork.

As befitted a car purpose built to cope with all types of rallying, the Stratos came with fully adjustable, all-independent suspension by double wishbones and coil springs, plus four-wheel disc brakes all round. With 190bhp on tap, the production version was good for 225km/h. The works Group 4 rally cars were, of course, considerably more powerful, but reliability problems meant that success was slow to come. After its initial major victory in the 1974 Targa Florio, the Stratos went on to dominate international rallying, Lancia winning the World Rally Championship of Makes in 1975 and 1976. Works pilote Bernard Darniche triumphed twice in the world's premier drivers' competition - the European Rally Championship - in 1976 and 1977 and the Stratos helped Markku Alen to the inaugural World Drivers' Championship in 1978. Alen's season had been split between the Stratos and the FIAT 131, and it was the parent company's political decision to favour that latter, rather than any lack of competitiveness, which saw the incomparable Stratos phased out.

Incredible as it may seem today, after the 400 cars required for homologation had been completed in 1975, the vast majority remained unsold due to lack of demand. Almost as soon as it ceased active competition though, the car's historic significance was recognised and prices soared.

This stunning example of a supremely successful competition car from one of the most distinguished marques in automotive history is finished in the white/red/green livery of the Italian airline Alitalia, sponsors of Lancia's works team. First owned by a banker from Geneva, Switzerland, the Stratos remained in that country when it passed to its second owner, Mr Daniel Descoeudres, who sold it to the current (Swiss) vendor in March 1998.

This Stratos has been extensively campaigned, completing the Tour Auto in 1992 and 1993; the Coupe des Alpes on nine occasions between 1993 and 2014; the Rally of Corsica in 2012, 2013 and 2014; and the Gstaad Classic, Switzerland in 2006. We are advised that the car has never been crashed, and that the engine has been prepared by the famous Ferrari specialist Garage Donati (Alberto Donati) in Switzerland. Only some 4,000 kilometres have been covered since the engine rebuild, and this exciting car is presented in generally good condition and ready to be enjoyed. Offered with Swiss Carte Grise.

Footnotes

Please note that we have been informed by the vendor that the car was upgraded to Group IV specifications early in its life and left the factory in standard 'Stradale' trim.Veuillez noter que d'après les informations données par le vendeur, cette auto est sortie d'usine en version 'Stradale' et a été modifiée aux spécifications groupe IV peu de temps après sa livraison.

Please note that we have been informed by the vendor that the car was upgraded to Group IV specifications early in its life and left the factory in standard 'Stradale' trim.

Saleroom notices

Veuillez noter que d'après les informations données par le vendeur, cette auto est sortie d'usine en version 'Stradale' et a été modifiée aux spécifications groupe IV peu de temps après sa livraison.
Please note that we have been informed by the vendor that the car was upgraded to Group IV specifications early in its life and left the factory in standard 'Stradale' trim.

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